Winter Paving Research Paper

606 Words2 Pages

Contrary to what many people believe, asphalt contractors do not completely stop paving in the winter. There are many circumstances in which the customer simply cannot wait for warmer weather to have asphalt pavement installed. For example, a sinkhole might develop in a busy street, a new business might need a parking lot built or a huge pothole might form that poses a safety hazard. Although winter paving may not be every contractor's favorite job, it is entirely possible to install quality, long-lasting asphalt pavement when conditions are far from ideal. (-- removed HTML --) What You Should Know About Winter Paving (-- removed HTML --) Winter paving can be challenging, and it is a task that is best left to contractors who have the knowledge and the proper equipment to do the job correctly. Experience …show more content…

North Georgia is not known for having many days with freezing temperatures, but temperatures do not need to be all that cold to cause issues when installing asphalt pavement. The real issue is the difference between the hot asphalt and the surface. When hot asphalt is spread over a cold surface, the heat rapidly transfers until an equilibrium is reached between the two materials. The greater the temperature differential, the faster the asphalt will lose its heat. • If asphalt loses too much heat, it cannot be compacted adequately. Poor compaction will result in asphalt pavement that lacks the strength it needs to be durable. • Asphalt pavement is constructed by installing multiple layers of asphalt mix and compacting each before the mix cools. The thinner the layer, the faster it will cool, making it more difficult to achieve adequate compaction. When paving in the winter, most contractors install thicker layers. If you must have asphalt pavement installed in the winter, you can find contractors who can provide excellent results. Just be sure that you select a reputable, experienced asphalt

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